NITROUS OXIDE: awareness information and advice
NITROUS OXIDE
What is it?
- A colourless and, mainly, odourless gas.
- Also known as laughing gas, noz or noxy.
- Comes in small silver pressurised containers (bulbs).
- Usually transferred from a canister into a balloon for inhaling.
- It’s a class C drug. Supply or possession with the intention of using to get high is illegal.
How does it make you feel?
- Users feel light-headed, dizzy, giggly and euphoric.
- Can also cause confusion, headaches and nausea.
What are the risks?
- Using pressurised gas directly from a cannister is dangerous.
- Inhaling in an enclosed space or putting your head in a bag of gas can lead to unconsciousness.
- Using in hazardous locations, like high buildings, close to water etc, is risky.
- Prolonged and heavy use can result in vitamin B deficiency and nerve damage.
- Symptoms of nerve damage can include numbness or pins and needles in the arms and/or legs.
- Excessive use can cause breathing difficulties and heart problems.
